Aug 12, 2025 By Jerin Steele 4 min read

Coming into the Pony League World Series, Washington County manager John Przybylinski said his team’s strengths would be pitching and defense.

Turns out they can hit too. And for power, nonetheless.

Washington County put up double-digits on the scoreboard for the third straight game, and coupled with a one-hitter by starting pitcher Clint Havanis, clinched a spot in the Pony League World Series championship game with an 11-0 victory over Corpus Christi, Texas on Tuesday night at Lew Hays Pony Field.

“We can hit, yes, that’s for sure,” Przybylinski said. “I don’t want to take away anything from our hitters, but you look at the boxscore and for Havanis to come out and shove for us was huge. Now easier to do that with a huge lead, so credit to our offense for giving him one.”

Washington County will play either Chinese Taipei or Simi Valley today in the championship at 7 p.m.

Chinese Taipei beat Simi Valley, 5-3, forcing an elimination game at 10 a.m. this morning with the winner advancing to the championship.

The host team is in the championship game for the second time in three years and will try to be the first team from Washington County to win the Pony League World Series in 70 years.

Kaden Harkins hit an RBI single that gave Washington County its 10th run in the top of the fifth. It was part of a four-run frame. Niko Vitale had an RBI triple and Ashton Fike ripped a two-run, pinch-hit double.

Havanis finished-off a one-hit shutout by retiring the side in order in the fifth. He had seven strikeouts.

“Mostly everything was working today,” Havanis said. “I felt really good from the first pitch of the day and I guess it just resulted in a good day.”

The lefty sported a funky, but effective delivery. Corpus Christi had only three baserunners and one reached second base.

“That’s something we saw at the tryouts,” Przybylinski said. “He throws hard, but his delivery in general is hard to pick up. He hides the ball for a long time. He was lights out tonight.”

Washington County scored in every inning, including two in the first.

Luke Henderson drew a leadoff walk. Vitale laid down a sacrifice bunt, Corpus Christi pitcher JD Carvajal tried to get Henderson at second, but he was safe and Vitale reached first.

With one out, Kaden Harkins hit a ball that landed just inside the right-field line for an RBI double. The second run came in on an error.

Lucas Daniels smacked his second homer, which was almost a carbon copy of the majestic shot he hit over the left-field fence the night before.

“That was awesome,” Havanis said. “I love working with him. He’s a great catcher and teammate.”

The home run was part of a three-run second inning. Andrew Irwin was hit by a pitch before Daniels’ homer.

Carson Simmers had an RBI single that scored Luke Henderson, who singled after Daniels’ homer.

It would’ve been the third out. Instead, Ethan Amos came to the plate and hit a ground ball to shortstop that was booted, allowing Vitale to score.

Amos doubled in the third and later scored on an error to make it 6-0.

Wiedenhofer brought home Simmers with an RBI single in the fourth inning.

Now one win away, Washington County will have the opportunity to rest all day while Chinese Taipei and Simi Valley battle each other again for the right to play them.

“We’ll see what happens,” Przybylinski said. “We’re ready for anybody. It’s been 70 years since a championship and I know our guys really want to win it bad.”